The face of addiction

Alcoholism and drug abuse come more vividly to life in the story of Samuel “Poppy” Baez.

The stakes:

Only with our collective help will these addicts lead better lives. Even then, they still might not.

Trom today’s editorials: Alcoholism and drug abuse came more vividly to life in Paul Grondahl’s series that told the story of Samuel “Poppy” Baez. Only with our collective help will these addicts lead better lives. Even then, they still might not.

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Times Union readers who followed the grim and wrenching tale of a homeless alcoholic and crack addict most likely got an insight into an ugly underside of society usually reserved for social workers, medical professionals and, of course, the family members and friends damaged by a loved one’s path of destruction.

The tale of Samuel “Poppy” Baez, presented by staff writer Paul Grondahl and photographer Cindy Schultz, ought to have the lasting impact of putting a human face, at times sympathetic and at other times stubborn, on the legion who can’t escape the cycle of alcohol and drugs, disappointment and despair.

What these stories and pictures won’t do, compelling as they are, is settle much of the larger argument over the cause, responsibility and consequences of such horrible addiction. Comments from our readers posted on timesunion.com make that much clear. Those who might see Poppy as a victim of a relentless disease that’s so hard to overcome can use his life story to help make that point. Those who might hold him most responsible for his own self-destruction can cite that same story to make a counterpoint.

Poppy and the addicts like him — many of whom battle mental illness, too — are in our midst regardless, however, and the rest of us pay a substantial toll. Nationwide, the cost of treating alcohol and drug addiction comes to almost $500 billion a year. That’s quite a price for treatment that isn’t very effective. More than 105,000 Americans a year die from such a plight. At 59, with the health problems that come with a life of self-abuse, Poppy could soon enough be one of them. His resistance to more conventional treatment makes emergency detoxification the method of last resort. For that, the public bears the bill of $1,300 a night.

It’s a battle that can’t be abandoned, though, even when the victims seem so willing to fight it. Understand Poppy, then, through the perspectives of alcoholism and addiction counselors such as the Rev. Peter Young or Keith Stack of the Addictions Care Center of Albany. It’s their belief, and that of many in their field, that any addict is capable of rehabilitation.

Understand Poppy, too, though, through the eyes of Donna DeMaria of the Homeless Action Committee. She works with people whom she concedes won’t get sober at HAC’s 30-room, long-term shelter in North Albany. To her, the struggle is to preserve the dignity of those for whom seemingly all else is lost.

“It takes a village to save a Poppy,” Mr. Grondahl wrote in his concluding installment.